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Viewers prefer older TV programmes

Older TV shows make the ultimate night on the box, the Radio Times says. Photo: PA

Old favourites like Morecambe and Wise rule the box, according to the Radio Times, as the magazine released a list of TV shows viewers would want to watch on an ideal night in.

The long-running weekly magazine conducted a poll to find which shows TV viewers deemed part of the ultimate evening on the box as part of the celebrations for its 90th anniversary.

Viewers preferred TV shows from the 60s, 70s and 80s, despite modern shows like the Sopranos, the Wire and Breaking Bad credited with creating "a golden age of television".

Comedy duo Morecambe and Wise came top in the entertainment vote. Credit: PA

Doctor Who and Blue Peter both made the list, taking the drama and children's categories, but were the only shows still running which did so.

The Morecambe And Wise Show won the entertainment vote, followed by another comedy duo The Two Ronnies.

These were followed by some modern programming on the entertainment list - Strictly Come Dancing was next, followed by Top Gear and I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! but there was no place for The X Factor.

Ant and Dec (above) who present I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! were one of the few modern acts to make it onto the list. Credit: PA

In news, Sir Trevor McDonald won, taking almost as many votes as the next four most popular nominees (Moira Stuart, Kenneth Kendall, Reginald Bosanquet and Fiona Bruce) combined.

Sir Trevor McDonald topped the news category. Credit: ITN

Almost 30,000 votes were cast in the poll, to mark the 90th anniversary special issue Radio Times.

The magazine's editor Ben Preston said:

Who wouldn't be tempted to stay home for a golden night of British television? Everyone had their say in this poll and the great British public have spoken but am I the only person wondering how Wallace And Gromit and Fawlty Towers didn't win a place in Radio Times Hall Of Fame?